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We Are Wolves
Once upon a time, there was a woman, and she was tired. Tired of pushing. Tired of being pushed. Tired of feeling alone. Tired of so much.
So she gathered together a pack of wolves, a band of mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, partners, friends, lovers, survivors, victors and brilliant, shining things, and she told them to sing.
And sing they did.
The result is We Are Wolves, a chorus of of terrifying, moving and heart-breaking stories from some of horror’s finest contemporary writers including Gemma Amor, Laurel Hightower, Cina Pelayo, Sarah Read, Hailey Piper, V Castro, Sara Tantlinger, Sonora Taylor and many more.
All proceeds from the sale of this charity anthology will go towards helping the survivors of abuse and assault.
So she gathered together a pack of wolves, a band of mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, partners, friends, lovers, survivors, victors and brilliant, shining things, and she told them to sing.
And sing they did.
The result is We Are Wolves, a chorus of of terrifying, moving and heart-breaking stories from some of horror’s finest contemporary writers including Gemma Amor, Laurel Hightower, Cina Pelayo, Sarah Read, Hailey Piper, V Castro, Sara Tantlinger, Sonora Taylor and many more.
All proceeds from the sale of this charity anthology will go towards helping the survivors of abuse and assault.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2020
About the author
Gemma Amor
34 books663 followersI'm a horror fiction author, podcaster, artist and voice actor from Bristol, in the U.K.
I write for the wildly popular NoSleep Podcast and various other horror fiction audio dramas. My traditionally published debut FULL IMMERSION is out from Angry Robot in September 2022.
Find me at @manylittlewords on Twitter and Insta.
Repped by Mark Falkin at Falkin Literary.
I write for the wildly popular NoSleep Podcast and various other horror fiction audio dramas. My traditionally published debut FULL IMMERSION is out from Angry Robot in September 2022.
Find me at @manylittlewords on Twitter and Insta.
Repped by Mark Falkin at Falkin Literary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 9, 2020
WE ARE WOLVES An Anthology. Proceeds go to help survivors of abuse and assault.
Compiled by Gemma Amor, Laurel Hightower, and Cynthia Pelayo
TOC:
Intro by Gemma Amor- Gemma's introduction is brilliant in its raw honesty. She shares her own, personal experience unique to her in the details but familiar to so many women. I won't be reviewing this collection because I have a story in it but please do pay attention to my updates as I will share my thoughts on each & every story. xo
THE BLACK WALLPAPER by Cynthia Pelayo
THOUGH YOUR HEART IS BREAKING by Laurel Hightower
ANGEL by Gemma Amor
TROUBLE WITH FATE by Sarah Read
A KEY FOR ANY LOCK by S.H. Cooper
THE CURSE OF SHE, Part 6: The Final Girlfriend by Hailey Piper
THE MUTATION OF ALMOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS by Sara Tantlinger
BY THE THROAT by J. Danielle Dorn
WHERE A WITCH GOES WHEN SHE BURNS by Eve Harms
EXTRA WEIGHT by Laurel Hightower
THE PARROT by Sonora Taylor
THE SILENCE OF SARAH CROSS by Beverley Lee
LOBSTER TRAP by V. Castro
DOLL HOUSE by Red Lagoe
RUTHIE'S GARDEN by Cassie Daley
PLAYING WITH GODS AND DOLLS by Erin Al-Mehairi
ROOM SEVEN by Gemma Amor
WATER BABIES by (me)
WOMAN. MOTHER. GODDESS. DEATH by Lilyn George
POKE, STIR, FLESH, BONE by Amanda McHugh
A MARRIAGE OF DUST AND BLOOD by The Sisters of Slaughter, Michelle Garzon & Melissa Lason
WELCOME HOME by Jessica Guess
THE BODY YOU LOVED by Gemma Amor
Presented by Burial Day Books. Thank you for this opportunity.
Compiled by Gemma Amor, Laurel Hightower, and Cynthia Pelayo
TOC:
Intro by Gemma Amor- Gemma's introduction is brilliant in its raw honesty. She shares her own, personal experience unique to her in the details but familiar to so many women. I won't be reviewing this collection because I have a story in it but please do pay attention to my updates as I will share my thoughts on each & every story. xo
THE BLACK WALLPAPER by Cynthia Pelayo
THOUGH YOUR HEART IS BREAKING by Laurel Hightower
ANGEL by Gemma Amor
TROUBLE WITH FATE by Sarah Read
A KEY FOR ANY LOCK by S.H. Cooper
THE CURSE OF SHE, Part 6: The Final Girlfriend by Hailey Piper
THE MUTATION OF ALMOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS by Sara Tantlinger
BY THE THROAT by J. Danielle Dorn
WHERE A WITCH GOES WHEN SHE BURNS by Eve Harms
EXTRA WEIGHT by Laurel Hightower
THE PARROT by Sonora Taylor
THE SILENCE OF SARAH CROSS by Beverley Lee
LOBSTER TRAP by V. Castro
DOLL HOUSE by Red Lagoe
RUTHIE'S GARDEN by Cassie Daley
PLAYING WITH GODS AND DOLLS by Erin Al-Mehairi
ROOM SEVEN by Gemma Amor
WATER BABIES by (me)
WOMAN. MOTHER. GODDESS. DEATH by Lilyn George
POKE, STIR, FLESH, BONE by Amanda McHugh
A MARRIAGE OF DUST AND BLOOD by The Sisters of Slaughter, Michelle Garzon & Melissa Lason
WELCOME HOME by Jessica Guess
THE BODY YOU LOVED by Gemma Amor
Presented by Burial Day Books. Thank you for this opportunity.
December 6, 2020
I, like many women, suffered through harsh words, gaslighting, coercion and abuse. These stories gave voice to that. I found it hard to talk to my family, friends and especially other women. I felt I would be judged and then blamed. But by not talking I said it was ok. And it’s not ok. I’ve come to a place in my life where I am talking about it and it’s truly because of brave women and stories like this! Oh and horror...lots and lots of horror. My escape....
If you identify as a woman who still remains silent GET THIS BOOK! If you have finally broken the silence Get this book...Hell, if you’re man who loves a strong woman get this book! 5 stars and Thank You!
If you identify as a woman who still remains silent GET THIS BOOK! If you have finally broken the silence Get this book...Hell, if you’re man who loves a strong woman get this book! 5 stars and Thank You!
December 16, 2020
A subject that regularly comes up in discussions of male privilege is the things women take for granted that men never think about. Basic self preservation means making sure someone knows where you are and who you are with, never leaving a drink unattended, having an exit strategy when you are meeting someone new. Put simply, there is a level of vigilance required to survive as a woman that most men never have to bother with. And it would be fair to begrudge us this ease, and telling a woman she should just relax is probably only incrementally less awful than telling her to smile.
Reading this collection, it is apparent why women are natural horror writers. They don’t have to imagine a hostile world, a wilderness filled with precarious terrain and predators invisible and all too visible. It is the landscape they were born into. I have to put myself into the mind of a character living under an existential threat. They just have to open their eyes.
In these stories, so many of the threats come when someone lets their guard down, lets someone in, assumes their apparent kindness can be taken in good faith. The wilderness is full of horrors that punish the empathetic. There are cautionary tales here about threats unseen, warnings unheeded. The real takeaway, however, is the strength of these characters, women who fight back, standing up and overcoming seemingly impossible odds. In many of the stories there is a strong sense of history, of familial bonds. Trauma that spans generations but also a strength that comes in connection to the women who came before you and I am reminded of a connection from mothers to daughters that masculine expectations so often deprive men of. There is a feeling of community in many of the stories and the power that comes from shared experience.
The strength of the wolf is the pack and the pack of wolves on display in this table of contents is truly formidable. This is a gut punch of a collection with artists working at the top of their game. Beautiful stories that also teach, and we would do well to heed the lessons, not confuse kindness or humility for weakness, because the fang and the claw are close to hand.
Reading this collection, it is apparent why women are natural horror writers. They don’t have to imagine a hostile world, a wilderness filled with precarious terrain and predators invisible and all too visible. It is the landscape they were born into. I have to put myself into the mind of a character living under an existential threat. They just have to open their eyes.
In these stories, so many of the threats come when someone lets their guard down, lets someone in, assumes their apparent kindness can be taken in good faith. The wilderness is full of horrors that punish the empathetic. There are cautionary tales here about threats unseen, warnings unheeded. The real takeaway, however, is the strength of these characters, women who fight back, standing up and overcoming seemingly impossible odds. In many of the stories there is a strong sense of history, of familial bonds. Trauma that spans generations but also a strength that comes in connection to the women who came before you and I am reminded of a connection from mothers to daughters that masculine expectations so often deprive men of. There is a feeling of community in many of the stories and the power that comes from shared experience.
The strength of the wolf is the pack and the pack of wolves on display in this table of contents is truly formidable. This is a gut punch of a collection with artists working at the top of their game. Beautiful stories that also teach, and we would do well to heed the lessons, not confuse kindness or humility for weakness, because the fang and the claw are close to hand.
August 23, 2021
We are Wolves
Intro - Gemma Amor
Gemma delivers a heartfelt and honest introduction that details where the idea from this anthology comes from, it’s a powerful introduction that perfectly sets the tone for the reader.
The Black Wallpaper - Cynthia Pelayo
A deeply distressing story of never being enough, of never having enough of you to spread about and fearing about where it will all end. Our protagonist we quickly learn is smothered by guilt, a deep rooted guilt of being everything to everyone but never enough for herself - but she desperately craves to change that, and she will, on her own terms. The conclusion of this story leaves a bitter aftertaste.
Though Your Heart is Breaking - Laurel Hightower
Be kind to everyone you meet, because everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. This story kicks serious ass and I was also thinking it would make a stunning little novella (it has the brilliance to it that Whispers in the Dark had). My wife has previously mentioned to me that the dynamic tool in this story has been said to her on numerous occasions, and it’s such a great concept for Hightower to hang the story from. I won’t spoil it for you, but once you’ve read this story, seen the devastation of those few words, they should never pass your lips again, ever!
Angel - Gemma Amor
Angel is a hard hitting story that follows our protagonist after she witnesses the worst neglect case (child abuse) that she’s ever seen, this plays on her mind, on her never ending thoughts that torment her during her waking hours. This tale is also one full of grief, a portrait of grief that is so deftly revealed that if you let it in, it consumes you.
Trouble with Fate - Sarah Read
A delightfully told folklore / mythological tale of birth, told in wonderfully mesmerising prose, I’m not going to lie, I feel this one went a bit over my head but the ride was enjoyable nevertheless.
A Key for Any Lock - S.H. Cooper
Our protagonist has been raped, had her life torn apart, questions and allegations made about her character, why she went there, why she dressed as she did - people judged her, bullied her afterwards, trolled her when the courts found him innocent. But she’s have her long awaited vengeance, because she is ‘a lioness, a black widow, a she-wolf baring her fangs and dragging her still-kicking prey towards her lair.’ The voice of this piece showcases brilliantly those narrow minded views some have of women in our society that were ‘asking’ for it... a fierce story that I really enjoyed, mesmeric prose and powerful storytelling.
The Curse of She, Part 6: The Final Girlfriend - Hailey Piper
An actress is forced to deal with and face what has become of an industry that cherishes the ‘final Girl’ and nothing else, how women are perceived, what they’re allowed to do, and a reminder of how they better not dare to get ideas above what is expected of them. The struggle is real.
The Mutation of Almost Beautiful things - Sara Tantlinger
A beautiful poem about what happens when you give all of yourself to another - the visuals of this poem are breathtaking.
By The Throat - J. Danielle Dorn
A story that deals with elements of lycanthropy like you’ve never seen before, a fabulous little story that almost redefines what we expect from that tired sub-genre of horror.
Where a Witch Goes to Burn - Eve Harms
Another short poem about burning a witch and how her soul finds a new place to call home.
Extra Weight - Laurel Hightower
I enjoyed the construction of this story, the flitting between protagonist and their own personal woe is something that is really powerful and showcases perfectly that everyone is fighting a personal battle we know nothing about.
The Parrot - Sonora Taylor
Another smashing story from Taylor’s pen. This one deals with domestic abuse, technology and revenge. The opening to this story blew me away and set the fuse to the bomb that would blow this story wide open. This story is utterly brilliant, really enjoyed the splicing of horror and technology!
The Silence of Sarah Cross - Beverley Lee
‘In my opinion, girls should have the same opportunities as boys.’
A vampiric story that gives Anne Rice a run for her money, the story brings to mind the fabulous grandeur of ‘Interview with a Vampire’ with its setting and the fabulously written and intelligent prose (which is commonplace with Lee’s work). Our protagonist seems like a woman out of time, with her views on how women should be seen and treated - but when she meets Jean-Sebastien Freniere she is both lost and found in a matter of moments. This story exposes the dangers of silencing women.
Lobster Trap - V Castro
This story uses elements of folklore and mythology to create a beautifully crafted revenge story. Lobster Trap is deftly put across with an almost poetic prose that shows the destructive forces of man on nature, a story of greed and need and what nature is forced to do to survive.
Doll House - Red Lagoe
‘Mama’s eyes ruin everything’ - there was something about this line that really struck a cord with me, this story is crazy good. A negative body image story with an almost munchausen by proxy vibe going on, as our protagonist has to battle her tyrannical mother and her views on the human form whilst being forced to create dolls that look like the image of what the perfect woman should look like (according to her mother, the world and bloody Barbie).
Ruthie’s Garden - Cassie Daley
This story cover a history of physical abuse and how our protagonist overcome it. After a family dinner an elderly mother sees the telltale signs of abuse on her daughter’s flesh, having known physical abuse herself from her late husbands hands, she decides that her daughter needs help and she sets about being the person to deliver her from this beast of a man.
Playing With Gods and Dolls - Erin Al-Mehairi
This was a dark story about the scars both mental and physical of abuse at the hands of family, and how someone survives the hand that has been dealt to them and the family they are born into. I loved the storytelling angle of this one and the ending is perfect.
Room Seven - Gemma Amor
A sinful meeting in a hotel room has dire consequences for the couple who meet there to feed their secret.
Water Babies - Sadie Hartmann
This is my first time reading Mother Horror’s words and I pray it won’t be the last, I really enjoyed this offering, teenage angst and horror combine superbly to create a most haunting of tales that came out of nowhere and scared the life out of me. The ‘thing’ that appears is dealt with so brilliantly that it caused me to shudder, less is more and Hartmann manages to get this across expertly, just enough horror to chill the marrow in your bones!
Woman. Mother. Goddess. Death. - Lilyn George
This story is hard hitting, child abuse, a mother’s revenge and some other unsavoury things - but it has one of the best opening paragraphs to a short story that I’ve read in a long while... stunning!
Poke, Stir, Flesh, Bone - Amanda McHugh
Here we have a fierce Wolfpack a sisterhood, a band of women who are out for revenge, one of their pack has fallen and it rests on the others shoulders to make this right any way they can.
A Marriage of Dust and Blood - Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason
A distressing brilliant and brutal story told with exquisite prose that is full of poetic brilliance, the start of this story is beguiling and it weaves a net that there is no escaping from. These are two new writers to me and I’ll be searching out more of their work.
Welcome Home - Jessica Guess
This was an interesting story where the prose seems to skirt around the subject matter, I for one went along for the ride and enjoyed this interesting take on a trope I’ve read much of recently, well done and well executed!
The Body You Loved - Gemma Amor
A very cool poem to close this most brutal and arrestingly brilliant collections.
We Are Wolves showcases some top notch talent and all fierce women with stories to tell and fires to burn, it’s a smorgasbord of brilliance, a delightful array of varying horrors that bewitch the reader and haunt long after reading. There are so many great stories in this collection that it’s a breathtaking and deeply enriching reading experience... this wolf pack has bite, watch them run and watch them roar!
Intro - Gemma Amor
Gemma delivers a heartfelt and honest introduction that details where the idea from this anthology comes from, it’s a powerful introduction that perfectly sets the tone for the reader.
The Black Wallpaper - Cynthia Pelayo
A deeply distressing story of never being enough, of never having enough of you to spread about and fearing about where it will all end. Our protagonist we quickly learn is smothered by guilt, a deep rooted guilt of being everything to everyone but never enough for herself - but she desperately craves to change that, and she will, on her own terms. The conclusion of this story leaves a bitter aftertaste.
Though Your Heart is Breaking - Laurel Hightower
Be kind to everyone you meet, because everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. This story kicks serious ass and I was also thinking it would make a stunning little novella (it has the brilliance to it that Whispers in the Dark had). My wife has previously mentioned to me that the dynamic tool in this story has been said to her on numerous occasions, and it’s such a great concept for Hightower to hang the story from. I won’t spoil it for you, but once you’ve read this story, seen the devastation of those few words, they should never pass your lips again, ever!
Angel - Gemma Amor
Angel is a hard hitting story that follows our protagonist after she witnesses the worst neglect case (child abuse) that she’s ever seen, this plays on her mind, on her never ending thoughts that torment her during her waking hours. This tale is also one full of grief, a portrait of grief that is so deftly revealed that if you let it in, it consumes you.
Trouble with Fate - Sarah Read
A delightfully told folklore / mythological tale of birth, told in wonderfully mesmerising prose, I’m not going to lie, I feel this one went a bit over my head but the ride was enjoyable nevertheless.
A Key for Any Lock - S.H. Cooper
Our protagonist has been raped, had her life torn apart, questions and allegations made about her character, why she went there, why she dressed as she did - people judged her, bullied her afterwards, trolled her when the courts found him innocent. But she’s have her long awaited vengeance, because she is ‘a lioness, a black widow, a she-wolf baring her fangs and dragging her still-kicking prey towards her lair.’ The voice of this piece showcases brilliantly those narrow minded views some have of women in our society that were ‘asking’ for it... a fierce story that I really enjoyed, mesmeric prose and powerful storytelling.
The Curse of She, Part 6: The Final Girlfriend - Hailey Piper
An actress is forced to deal with and face what has become of an industry that cherishes the ‘final Girl’ and nothing else, how women are perceived, what they’re allowed to do, and a reminder of how they better not dare to get ideas above what is expected of them. The struggle is real.
The Mutation of Almost Beautiful things - Sara Tantlinger
A beautiful poem about what happens when you give all of yourself to another - the visuals of this poem are breathtaking.
By The Throat - J. Danielle Dorn
A story that deals with elements of lycanthropy like you’ve never seen before, a fabulous little story that almost redefines what we expect from that tired sub-genre of horror.
Where a Witch Goes to Burn - Eve Harms
Another short poem about burning a witch and how her soul finds a new place to call home.
Extra Weight - Laurel Hightower
I enjoyed the construction of this story, the flitting between protagonist and their own personal woe is something that is really powerful and showcases perfectly that everyone is fighting a personal battle we know nothing about.
The Parrot - Sonora Taylor
Another smashing story from Taylor’s pen. This one deals with domestic abuse, technology and revenge. The opening to this story blew me away and set the fuse to the bomb that would blow this story wide open. This story is utterly brilliant, really enjoyed the splicing of horror and technology!
The Silence of Sarah Cross - Beverley Lee
‘In my opinion, girls should have the same opportunities as boys.’
A vampiric story that gives Anne Rice a run for her money, the story brings to mind the fabulous grandeur of ‘Interview with a Vampire’ with its setting and the fabulously written and intelligent prose (which is commonplace with Lee’s work). Our protagonist seems like a woman out of time, with her views on how women should be seen and treated - but when she meets Jean-Sebastien Freniere she is both lost and found in a matter of moments. This story exposes the dangers of silencing women.
Lobster Trap - V Castro
This story uses elements of folklore and mythology to create a beautifully crafted revenge story. Lobster Trap is deftly put across with an almost poetic prose that shows the destructive forces of man on nature, a story of greed and need and what nature is forced to do to survive.
Doll House - Red Lagoe
‘Mama’s eyes ruin everything’ - there was something about this line that really struck a cord with me, this story is crazy good. A negative body image story with an almost munchausen by proxy vibe going on, as our protagonist has to battle her tyrannical mother and her views on the human form whilst being forced to create dolls that look like the image of what the perfect woman should look like (according to her mother, the world and bloody Barbie).
Ruthie’s Garden - Cassie Daley
This story cover a history of physical abuse and how our protagonist overcome it. After a family dinner an elderly mother sees the telltale signs of abuse on her daughter’s flesh, having known physical abuse herself from her late husbands hands, she decides that her daughter needs help and she sets about being the person to deliver her from this beast of a man.
Playing With Gods and Dolls - Erin Al-Mehairi
This was a dark story about the scars both mental and physical of abuse at the hands of family, and how someone survives the hand that has been dealt to them and the family they are born into. I loved the storytelling angle of this one and the ending is perfect.
Room Seven - Gemma Amor
A sinful meeting in a hotel room has dire consequences for the couple who meet there to feed their secret.
Water Babies - Sadie Hartmann
This is my first time reading Mother Horror’s words and I pray it won’t be the last, I really enjoyed this offering, teenage angst and horror combine superbly to create a most haunting of tales that came out of nowhere and scared the life out of me. The ‘thing’ that appears is dealt with so brilliantly that it caused me to shudder, less is more and Hartmann manages to get this across expertly, just enough horror to chill the marrow in your bones!
Woman. Mother. Goddess. Death. - Lilyn George
This story is hard hitting, child abuse, a mother’s revenge and some other unsavoury things - but it has one of the best opening paragraphs to a short story that I’ve read in a long while... stunning!
Poke, Stir, Flesh, Bone - Amanda McHugh
Here we have a fierce Wolfpack a sisterhood, a band of women who are out for revenge, one of their pack has fallen and it rests on the others shoulders to make this right any way they can.
A Marriage of Dust and Blood - Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason
A distressing brilliant and brutal story told with exquisite prose that is full of poetic brilliance, the start of this story is beguiling and it weaves a net that there is no escaping from. These are two new writers to me and I’ll be searching out more of their work.
Welcome Home - Jessica Guess
This was an interesting story where the prose seems to skirt around the subject matter, I for one went along for the ride and enjoyed this interesting take on a trope I’ve read much of recently, well done and well executed!
The Body You Loved - Gemma Amor
A very cool poem to close this most brutal and arrestingly brilliant collections.
We Are Wolves showcases some top notch talent and all fierce women with stories to tell and fires to burn, it’s a smorgasbord of brilliance, a delightful array of varying horrors that bewitch the reader and haunt long after reading. There are so many great stories in this collection that it’s a breathtaking and deeply enriching reading experience... this wolf pack has bite, watch them run and watch them roar!
December 9, 2020
Ranging from the emotionally-driven to the fantastical, WE ARE WOLVES puts on a full display of contemporary's finest within the horror and dark fiction genres. The forward by, Gemma Amor, sets the tone of this collection with a powerful story that is both personal and uplifting. WOLVES is a call to arms. A call for not only women to be picked up and feel connected through their varying experiences of pain, treatment by society & men, and how they overcome their obstacles, but a call to allies too. Either join the pack or get out of the way. For the wolf pack is in motion... and nobody can stop it.
February 1, 2021
**Review coming soon**
February 25, 2021
What a collection of powerful voices. I'm so glad I held onto We Are Wolves to read during Women in Horror month. These are deeply emotional, gut wrenching tales with doses of terror and gore to satisfy every horror fan. Special shout outs to The Black Wallpaper by Cynthia Pelayo, Though Your Heart is Breaking by Laurel Hightower, Angel by Gemma Amor, and The Parrot by Sonora Taylor.
December 20, 2020
The best
Having read a number of anthologies now, this is the first time - if memory serves - I have read one by women about women. Here are terrific stories whose nature you probably wouldn't see gain much space in those other books simply by virtue of this perspective, the essence of the female. These are stories of heart and blood, resonating with loss and pain, some of which spoke directly to me of my own loss and therefore felt extraordinarily personal. Whilst I know authors love to get shoutouts, I am not going to pick any favourites in this instance because I feel to do so would be a disservice to those I don't mention and in truth, I loved them all. I say this is an anthology by women about women but it is FOR everyone. Written for a worthwhile cause, this is a pack you should all follow.
Having read a number of anthologies now, this is the first time - if memory serves - I have read one by women about women. Here are terrific stories whose nature you probably wouldn't see gain much space in those other books simply by virtue of this perspective, the essence of the female. These are stories of heart and blood, resonating with loss and pain, some of which spoke directly to me of my own loss and therefore felt extraordinarily personal. Whilst I know authors love to get shoutouts, I am not going to pick any favourites in this instance because I feel to do so would be a disservice to those I don't mention and in truth, I loved them all. I say this is an anthology by women about women but it is FOR everyone. Written for a worthwhile cause, this is a pack you should all follow.
October 21, 2023
This anthology of very diverse stories by some amazing women in horror explores the many horrors that women and girls have to bear, sometimes on a day-to-day basis. Some very raw and dark.
I believe that any woman that reads this will recognise themselves, whether they’ve been through great trauma in their lives and I think any woman, even if they’re not a horror fan, will be able to relate in some way to the stories and poetry from the amazing writers in this book.
I believe that any woman that reads this will recognise themselves, whether they’ve been through great trauma in their lives and I think any woman, even if they’re not a horror fan, will be able to relate in some way to the stories and poetry from the amazing writers in this book.
February 25, 2021
Review to follow... A great anthology for a good cause.
May 17, 2021
Powerful stories with profound messages behind them. I loved them,but to be honest, the introduction was one of the best parts of this anthology. I didn't know that I needed to hear/read this powerful speech and those words. Amazing!
January 2, 2021
4.5 rounded up! We Are Wolves is a powerful collection of stories and poems that highlights the courage, survival, weariness, and anger of women. This is a response to all the times when women are told to smile, to be silent, to be beautiful, because they are not worth more than that. But as this book brilliantly shows, women are a force to be reckoned with and those who stand in their way will pay the price.
The stories include a haunting look at a cry for help, a delightful twist on the grieving husband trope, a heartbreaking portrayal of the unfairness of motherhood, a familiar tread on male privilege, and a harrowing tale that declares: enough is enough. There’s tragedy, heartbreak and rage, but also joy, freedom and triumph. I loved this book. Absolutely recommended!
You can find the full review on my blog.
CW: sexual assault, rape, infant death, child abuse, suicide
book blog | twitter | instagram
The stories include a haunting look at a cry for help, a delightful twist on the grieving husband trope, a heartbreaking portrayal of the unfairness of motherhood, a familiar tread on male privilege, and a harrowing tale that declares: enough is enough. There’s tragedy, heartbreak and rage, but also joy, freedom and triumph. I loved this book. Absolutely recommended!
You can find the full review on my blog.
CW: sexual assault, rape, infant death, child abuse, suicide
book blog | twitter | instagram
March 28, 2022
The trigger warnings are not to be taken lightly. Nonetheless, the book was for a great cause. Hailey Piper and Beverley Lee's stories were highlights for me.
December 13, 2020
Gruesome yet oddly satisfying.
January 8, 2021
A strong and painfully beautiful collection. Too many women will recognize themselves in these pages and it is a reminder that we will rise, sometimes soaked in our own blood and sometimes in the blood of those who have hurt us, but most often in both.
March 23, 2022
Wow, what a wonderful collection of stories. Throughly enjoyed all of these and found myself racing through it.
December 12, 2020
We Are Wolves: An Anthology compiled by Gemma Amor, Laurel Hightower, and Cynthia Pelayo is an absolutely horrifying and gut-wrenching collection of tales that cover a broad range of topics. But what ties them all together is the power of women who have been pushed too far for too long and what they will do to rise up.
This collection will make you want to hug the special women in your lives extra tight the next time you see them. Post-COVID of course! I cannot wait to see my grandma and my mom when it’s safe to do so again.
Proceeds from the sale of this collection will be donated to causes that help survivors of abuse and assault.
Trigger Warnings:
Abuse, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse and other harm to children, self-harm, child death, rape, and more.
Per usual with collections like this, I have added my quick thoughts about each story or poem. In some sections, I have pulled some my favorite lines from the story. Those passages will appear in italics.
Forward by Gemma Amor
This forward is the single most incredible forward I have ever come across. It was honest, it was brutal, it gave readers a heads up with content warnings, and it was also a warrior cry.
Our capacity to minimize the severity of Bad Things is limitless, it seems. I wonder where that comes from, that instinctive need to gloss over the terror or the hurt, to pull up the smile-curtains tight across our faces and upon questioning, lie, endlessly lie: ‘I’m fine!’ We say, over and over, but many of us aren’t.
The Black Wall Paper by Cynthia Pelayo – 5/5
Oh my gosh. I related to how this woman felt so much at the beginning. I totally feel the push to always be productive, to do more, to BE more. I loved how this story was set up with the quick little bursts that hinted that all was not well here. The ending was quite a shock.
Everything and everyone demanding more of time than I could ever provide. I was always needed. By someone. By something. And I was very tired.
Though Your Heart is Breaking by Laurel Hightower – 5/5
HOLY. What a tale! Anyone who has ever had someone tell them to smile… this one will resonate with you. I absolutely loved the set up and pacing of this one! Such an awesome ending too!
Angel by Gemma Amour – 5/5
This one is brutally heartbreaking! My gosh, I can’t even imagine being sent on calls where children are in danger, let alone to this extent.
Trouble With Fate by Sarah Read – 3/5
Fate is certainly a fickle thing!
A Key For Any Lock by S.H. Cooper – 5/5
It’s so upsetting to see the victim blaming and nastiness that random people spew after sexual assaults. I just can’t wrap my head around it. But this tale… what a beautifully poetic kind of revenge.
The Curse of She, Part 6: The Final Girlfriend by Hailey Piper – 5/5
What would happen if film character archetypes could cross decade and jump films? I loved this story and how unique it was! It also made me really sad to see the jealousy and loneliness.
The Mutation of Almost Beautiful Things by Sara Tantlinger – 3/5
This was intense!
By the Throat by J. Danielle Dorn – 4/5
Yikes! What a tale! And so refreshing for a character that’s potentially in danger to LISTEN and get out of there.
Where A Witch Goes When She Burns by Eve Harms – 4/5
Woah, I was not expecting where this one ended up!
Extra Weight by Laurel Hightower – 5/5
Another incredibly powerful tale. I loved how this was written in a format of short bursts of narrative that almost flowed like poetry.
And this line, oofh. Such a gut punch-
She knows now that she is the only thing standing between her students and the possibility of some thing very bad. Today it is disease, but yesterday it was bullets.
The Parrot by Sonora Taylor – 5/5
I loved the smart home element of this one! And phew what a nasty man Charles is!
The Silence of Sarah Cross by Beverley Lee – 4/5
Yessss! I love the ending of this one. A story that began so proper sure took a fun turn!
Lobster Trap by V. Castro – 4/5
I loved the opening of this one with the beautiful description of the coastline and the ocean. It made me so homesick! But then the tale took a turn from peace and beauty to terror!
Doll House by Red Lagoe – 5/5
Woah, this one was brutal and so sad. This poor girl… I loved this one! It made me want to go watch House of Wax again!
Ruthie’s Garden by Cassie Daley – 5/5
I love how this tale was laid out; starting in the present, flashing back to provide context, then finishing up not by actually taking action, but leading the reader to know exactly what is about to happen. Go Ruthie!
There was nothing that could be done well enough or throughly enough to turn her husband into a better man, and it wasn’t her responsibility to keep trying. She could see that now.
Playing with Gods and Dolls by Erin Al-Mehairi – 3/5
Woah! This one was heartbreaking and filled with horrific scenes of a brutal childhood, but what a tale! I loved the ending!
Room Seven by Gemma Amor – 4/5
Woah!
Water Babies by Sadie Hartmann – 3/5
That scene by the cross!! So unsettling.
Woman. Mother. Goddess. Death. by Lily’s George – 5/5
My goodness. This was horrific and brutal. While my heart broke for this family, I counselor help but want to jump up and cheer as we watched our main character make her way toward her goal.
Poke, Stir, Flesh, Bone by Amanda McHugh – 5/5
Brutal! What a pack!
Colors can’t be hidden, but people can blind themselves to what they don’t want to see. Choice is a powerful thing.
A Marriage of Dust and Blood by Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason – 4/5
Yikes, what an angry man! I loved the setting and the haunting elements of this one!
Welcome Home by Jessica Guess – 4/5
I loved tales like this, when you can tell something is up, but you don’t know for sure until it’s all laid out.
The Body You Loved by Gemma Amour – 4/5
What a wonderful poem to end this collection.
My Final Thoughts
Reading this collection was such a rollercoaster of emotions. So many of these stories had my blood boiling, while others had me feeling like I could jump up and cheer.
This collection will make you want to hug the special women in your lives extra tight the next time you see them. Post-COVID of course! I cannot wait to see my grandma and my mom when it’s safe to do so again.
Proceeds from the sale of this collection will be donated to causes that help survivors of abuse and assault.
Trigger Warnings:
Abuse, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse and other harm to children, self-harm, child death, rape, and more.
Per usual with collections like this, I have added my quick thoughts about each story or poem. In some sections, I have pulled some my favorite lines from the story. Those passages will appear in italics.
Forward by Gemma Amor
This forward is the single most incredible forward I have ever come across. It was honest, it was brutal, it gave readers a heads up with content warnings, and it was also a warrior cry.
Our capacity to minimize the severity of Bad Things is limitless, it seems. I wonder where that comes from, that instinctive need to gloss over the terror or the hurt, to pull up the smile-curtains tight across our faces and upon questioning, lie, endlessly lie: ‘I’m fine!’ We say, over and over, but many of us aren’t.
The Black Wall Paper by Cynthia Pelayo – 5/5
Oh my gosh. I related to how this woman felt so much at the beginning. I totally feel the push to always be productive, to do more, to BE more. I loved how this story was set up with the quick little bursts that hinted that all was not well here. The ending was quite a shock.
Everything and everyone demanding more of time than I could ever provide. I was always needed. By someone. By something. And I was very tired.
Though Your Heart is Breaking by Laurel Hightower – 5/5
HOLY. What a tale! Anyone who has ever had someone tell them to smile… this one will resonate with you. I absolutely loved the set up and pacing of this one! Such an awesome ending too!
Angel by Gemma Amour – 5/5
This one is brutally heartbreaking! My gosh, I can’t even imagine being sent on calls where children are in danger, let alone to this extent.
Trouble With Fate by Sarah Read – 3/5
Fate is certainly a fickle thing!
A Key For Any Lock by S.H. Cooper – 5/5
It’s so upsetting to see the victim blaming and nastiness that random people spew after sexual assaults. I just can’t wrap my head around it. But this tale… what a beautifully poetic kind of revenge.
The Curse of She, Part 6: The Final Girlfriend by Hailey Piper – 5/5
What would happen if film character archetypes could cross decade and jump films? I loved this story and how unique it was! It also made me really sad to see the jealousy and loneliness.
The Mutation of Almost Beautiful Things by Sara Tantlinger – 3/5
This was intense!
By the Throat by J. Danielle Dorn – 4/5
Yikes! What a tale! And so refreshing for a character that’s potentially in danger to LISTEN and get out of there.
Where A Witch Goes When She Burns by Eve Harms – 4/5
Woah, I was not expecting where this one ended up!
Extra Weight by Laurel Hightower – 5/5
Another incredibly powerful tale. I loved how this was written in a format of short bursts of narrative that almost flowed like poetry.
And this line, oofh. Such a gut punch-
She knows now that she is the only thing standing between her students and the possibility of some thing very bad. Today it is disease, but yesterday it was bullets.
The Parrot by Sonora Taylor – 5/5
I loved the smart home element of this one! And phew what a nasty man Charles is!
The Silence of Sarah Cross by Beverley Lee – 4/5
Yessss! I love the ending of this one. A story that began so proper sure took a fun turn!
Lobster Trap by V. Castro – 4/5
I loved the opening of this one with the beautiful description of the coastline and the ocean. It made me so homesick! But then the tale took a turn from peace and beauty to terror!
Doll House by Red Lagoe – 5/5
Woah, this one was brutal and so sad. This poor girl… I loved this one! It made me want to go watch House of Wax again!
Ruthie’s Garden by Cassie Daley – 5/5
I love how this tale was laid out; starting in the present, flashing back to provide context, then finishing up not by actually taking action, but leading the reader to know exactly what is about to happen. Go Ruthie!
There was nothing that could be done well enough or throughly enough to turn her husband into a better man, and it wasn’t her responsibility to keep trying. She could see that now.
Playing with Gods and Dolls by Erin Al-Mehairi – 3/5
Woah! This one was heartbreaking and filled with horrific scenes of a brutal childhood, but what a tale! I loved the ending!
Room Seven by Gemma Amor – 4/5
Woah!
Water Babies by Sadie Hartmann – 3/5
That scene by the cross!! So unsettling.
Woman. Mother. Goddess. Death. by Lily’s George – 5/5
My goodness. This was horrific and brutal. While my heart broke for this family, I counselor help but want to jump up and cheer as we watched our main character make her way toward her goal.
Poke, Stir, Flesh, Bone by Amanda McHugh – 5/5
Brutal! What a pack!
Colors can’t be hidden, but people can blind themselves to what they don’t want to see. Choice is a powerful thing.
A Marriage of Dust and Blood by Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason – 4/5
Yikes, what an angry man! I loved the setting and the haunting elements of this one!
Welcome Home by Jessica Guess – 4/5
I loved tales like this, when you can tell something is up, but you don’t know for sure until it’s all laid out.
The Body You Loved by Gemma Amour – 4/5
What a wonderful poem to end this collection.
My Final Thoughts
Reading this collection was such a rollercoaster of emotions. So many of these stories had my blood boiling, while others had me feeling like I could jump up and cheer.
January 18, 2021
Finished in one sitting
Great stories. Finished in one night . Could not put it down for a second . Highly recommend it. Yay
Great stories. Finished in one night . Could not put it down for a second . Highly recommend it. Yay
March 13, 2022
“Because we are not the sum of our damaged parts, we are not the Bad Things that happen to us, we are not the weariness we feel as we push, push, push. No, we are mothers, we are sisters, we are wives, daughters, partners, friends, lovers, survivors, victors … but we are also the shadows at the end of the bed, the eyes that gleam in the dark, we are alpha, the things with teeth and claws and hearts of hot blood, and we stand side by fucking side, as a pack, and you can hear us singing, if you listen.”
We Are Wolves is an important and empowering read with a percentage of the money from the sale going to a great cause, though, like with many anthologies I've read, some of these stories were more my cup of tea than others.
A few of highlights from the collection would be:
A Key For Any Lock, by S.H. Cooper
The Curse of She, Part 6: The Final Girlfriend, by Hailey Piper
The Parrot, by Sonora Taylor
A Marriage of Dust and Blood, by Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason
and lastly, I enjoyed the poem The Body You Loved, by Gemma Amor quite well.
I feel the need to add that this collection is not an easy or pleasant read at all. Lots of heavy and disturbing themes at times, and loads of content warnings for quite a few of the stories. I'd even crown Doll House, by Red Lagoe as being the most disturbing short story I've ever read.
3 stars for the anthology as a whole.
We Are Wolves is an important and empowering read with a percentage of the money from the sale going to a great cause, though, like with many anthologies I've read, some of these stories were more my cup of tea than others.
A few of highlights from the collection would be:
A Key For Any Lock, by S.H. Cooper
The Curse of She, Part 6: The Final Girlfriend, by Hailey Piper
The Parrot, by Sonora Taylor
A Marriage of Dust and Blood, by Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason
and lastly, I enjoyed the poem The Body You Loved, by Gemma Amor quite well.
I feel the need to add that this collection is not an easy or pleasant read at all. Lots of heavy and disturbing themes at times, and loads of content warnings for quite a few of the stories. I'd even crown Doll House, by Red Lagoe as being the most disturbing short story I've ever read.
3 stars for the anthology as a whole.
February 1, 2021
This is an excellent anthology showcasing the best of women's horror talent on the scene right now. The stories are powerful and memorable throughout. The message there for women to never be underestimated.
My favourite from the collection has to be "Angel" by Gemma Amor, whose writing continues to dazzle me. In this story, she pushes you to your limits and then beyond as she ratchets up the suspense from the go with a wondrous opening page to a tender end.
Other favourites include "The Parrot" by Sonora Taylor about a man dealing with the death of his wife, the dark as a well bottom, "Doll House by Red Lagoe, "Ruthie's Garden" by Cassie Daley, "Playing with Gods and Dolls" by Erin Al-Mehairi, "Water Babies" by Sadie Hartmann and "Poke, Stir, Flesh, Bone" by Amanda McHugh featuring the wolves of the title.
This is a must read for Women in Horror month and was as powerful an anthology as I have read in a while.
My favourite from the collection has to be "Angel" by Gemma Amor, whose writing continues to dazzle me. In this story, she pushes you to your limits and then beyond as she ratchets up the suspense from the go with a wondrous opening page to a tender end.
Other favourites include "The Parrot" by Sonora Taylor about a man dealing with the death of his wife, the dark as a well bottom, "Doll House by Red Lagoe, "Ruthie's Garden" by Cassie Daley, "Playing with Gods and Dolls" by Erin Al-Mehairi, "Water Babies" by Sadie Hartmann and "Poke, Stir, Flesh, Bone" by Amanda McHugh featuring the wolves of the title.
This is a must read for Women in Horror month and was as powerful an anthology as I have read in a while.
January 10, 2021
This is an anthology about women written by a diverse group of authors. While reading through the stories and a few poems, I was impressed with the inclusion of different styles and sub-genres. More than a few of the authors in this book were those that I had never read before so it was nice to be able to be introduced to them. I have already purchased one the author's books based upon their story in this book and I'm sure there will be several more that I will purchase.
I enjoy short horror fiction so this was a great book for me. I'm not going to review every single story but I was planning on listing those that stood out for me. I went back to the Table of Contents and realized that my list would include so many that it would be silly to list them. Since there were so many sub-genres represented there were a few that fell into a category that I normally avoid but even those were good.
I enjoy short horror fiction so this was a great book for me. I'm not going to review every single story but I was planning on listing those that stood out for me. I went back to the Table of Contents and realized that my list would include so many that it would be silly to list them. Since there were so many sub-genres represented there were a few that fell into a category that I normally avoid but even those were good.
December 28, 2020
A smart and thoughtful yet unsettling horror anthology exploring the role of women in horror and reality
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
December 6, 2020
From the onset of Amor’s fierce introduction, WE ARE WOLVES never lets up for a moment. Delivering stories and poetry from some of the best women writing horror today, this anthology sings a symphony of beauty and strength, all the while ready to rip your still-beating heart out of your chest.
Cina Pelayo’s “The Black Wallpaper” is a demonstration of never feeling good enough, never feeling like you’re doing quite enough. It’s a powerful and heavy opening that lets you know exactly what you’re in for in this anthology. I had read Laurel Hightower’s “Though Your Heart is Breaking” when it was originally released by Ink Heist, and I found it just as poignant and every bit as hard-hitting as I did initially. Gemma Amor’s “Angel” made for a hard-as-hell read, highlighting the unfairness of those who can become parents and take it for granted. A knock-down drag-out trio of stories from the women who built this book.
S.H. Cooper’s “A Key For Any Lock” is a standout. Distressing, but unfortunately not surprising, it reminds the reader of some privileged white males who have made the news and had their sins forgiven because they have such a promising future. Cooper says no more, here. Sonora Taylor’s “The Parrot” gives us a touch of tech horror and a main character with no redeeming qualities surrounded by compelling story.
V. Castro’s “Lobster Trap” takes us into the land of metaphor, but don’t let that make you think she pulls any punches. Pretty sure V isn’t capable of that. “Doll House” by Red Lagoe is really brutal, really hard to read. In an anthology like this, that’s saying something, but staying the course is worth it. “Ruthie’s Garden” by Cassie Daley, utilizes a bit of misdirection, but it’s ultimately the characters that draw you in, breaking your heart, but leaving you with a little bit of hope. This review wouldn’t be complete without a mention of “Woman. Mother. Goddess. Death.” by Lilyn George, a narrative that won’t let you look away, minces no words, and provides an unflinching view of wrongdoing and revenge.
It was my honor to read an early version of this book, including not only the incredible authors above, but also people such as Jessica Guess, The Sisters of Slaughter, Sarah Read, Hailey Piper, Sarah Tantlinger, Eve Harms, and more. The proceeds from this anthology go to benefiting the victims of abuse and assault. There’s no downside here. A book full of astounding and heartfelt stories that does some good on the backend. Pick this one up today.
I received a copy from the editor for review consideration.
Cina Pelayo’s “The Black Wallpaper” is a demonstration of never feeling good enough, never feeling like you’re doing quite enough. It’s a powerful and heavy opening that lets you know exactly what you’re in for in this anthology. I had read Laurel Hightower’s “Though Your Heart is Breaking” when it was originally released by Ink Heist, and I found it just as poignant and every bit as hard-hitting as I did initially. Gemma Amor’s “Angel” made for a hard-as-hell read, highlighting the unfairness of those who can become parents and take it for granted. A knock-down drag-out trio of stories from the women who built this book.
S.H. Cooper’s “A Key For Any Lock” is a standout. Distressing, but unfortunately not surprising, it reminds the reader of some privileged white males who have made the news and had their sins forgiven because they have such a promising future. Cooper says no more, here. Sonora Taylor’s “The Parrot” gives us a touch of tech horror and a main character with no redeeming qualities surrounded by compelling story.
V. Castro’s “Lobster Trap” takes us into the land of metaphor, but don’t let that make you think she pulls any punches. Pretty sure V isn’t capable of that. “Doll House” by Red Lagoe is really brutal, really hard to read. In an anthology like this, that’s saying something, but staying the course is worth it. “Ruthie’s Garden” by Cassie Daley, utilizes a bit of misdirection, but it’s ultimately the characters that draw you in, breaking your heart, but leaving you with a little bit of hope. This review wouldn’t be complete without a mention of “Woman. Mother. Goddess. Death.” by Lilyn George, a narrative that won’t let you look away, minces no words, and provides an unflinching view of wrongdoing and revenge.
It was my honor to read an early version of this book, including not only the incredible authors above, but also people such as Jessica Guess, The Sisters of Slaughter, Sarah Read, Hailey Piper, Sarah Tantlinger, Eve Harms, and more. The proceeds from this anthology go to benefiting the victims of abuse and assault. There’s no downside here. A book full of astounding and heartfelt stories that does some good on the backend. Pick this one up today.
I received a copy from the editor for review consideration.
March 13, 2022
Fantastic Anthology and a must-read!
The proceeds of this books go to a selection of charitable organizations that offer direct support services to survivors. This Anthology and the authors of these stories are raising money for survivors of harassment and abuse.
These stories contain strong themes like sexual abuse, harm to children, bodily harm, self-harm, child death, and several other descriptions of abuse.
“… we are alpha, the things with teeth and claws and hearts of hot blood, and we stand side by fucking side, as a pack, and you can hear us singing, if you listen.
And we don’t much care whether or not you like our song, because the time for that had long passed.
For we are wolves.”
The proceeds of this books go to a selection of charitable organizations that offer direct support services to survivors. This Anthology and the authors of these stories are raising money for survivors of harassment and abuse.
These stories contain strong themes like sexual abuse, harm to children, bodily harm, self-harm, child death, and several other descriptions of abuse.
“… we are alpha, the things with teeth and claws and hearts of hot blood, and we stand side by fucking side, as a pack, and you can hear us singing, if you listen.
And we don’t much care whether or not you like our song, because the time for that had long passed.
For we are wolves.”
December 29, 2020
Women warriors
Stories that touch the heart and soul for those of us who can relate to these harrowing situations. Women wolves. Women warriors. Fighting back.
Stories that touch the heart and soul for those of us who can relate to these harrowing situations. Women wolves. Women warriors. Fighting back.
January 3, 2021
This was a powerful read with women who have had enough at the forefront. Whether it be from abusive men, damaging societal pressure, parental trauma or horror tropes, the women in this anthology made their stand and fought back. Showcased are some of the most brilliant voices in horror and their voices will not be silenced!
December 30, 2020
Join the pack, ladies!
I've been looking forward to this anthology since its announcement on Twitter. I already admire many of the ladies involved in the work, and the rest I simply haven't read yet (but now I'm a fan of them too!). The proceeds go to charity for survivors of abuse and assault, something which means so much to me as one of those survivors. And it's a horror anthology by women, for women--how could I refuse to read this?
Each story and poem is powerful, some even brilliant. This is without a doubt one of the finest anthologies I've ever read. Gemma Amor, Cynthia Pelayo, Laurel Hightower, Sarah Read, S.H. Cooper, Hailey Piper, Sara Tantlinger, J. Danielle Dorn, Eve Harms, Sonora Taylor, Beverley Lee, V. Castro, Red Lagoe, Cassie Daley, Erin Al-Mehairi, Sadie Hartmann, Lilyn George, Amanda McHugh, Michelle Garza, Melissa Lason, and Jessica Guess -- you are all champions. Each story hit so hard, whether it related to something personal or was based on fantastical metaphors and monsters. Didn't matter because the writing still resonated.
While this is for women, that doesn't mean men shouldn't read this. Much can be gained from such intimate glances into the female experience. Empathy and understanding is always of value. For women, especially survivors, some of these stories are filled with triggers. Some may be uncomfortable or difficult to read. I can't tell another person what to do as that wouldn't be right. But for me, even the darkest tales in this collection offered a sense of closure for wounds I'd long since believed were healed. I'm grateful this experience made me feel better, stronger with the reminder that other women know and they understand.
Thank you again, ladies! You're all wolves and heroines to me💖
I've been looking forward to this anthology since its announcement on Twitter. I already admire many of the ladies involved in the work, and the rest I simply haven't read yet (but now I'm a fan of them too!). The proceeds go to charity for survivors of abuse and assault, something which means so much to me as one of those survivors. And it's a horror anthology by women, for women--how could I refuse to read this?
Each story and poem is powerful, some even brilliant. This is without a doubt one of the finest anthologies I've ever read. Gemma Amor, Cynthia Pelayo, Laurel Hightower, Sarah Read, S.H. Cooper, Hailey Piper, Sara Tantlinger, J. Danielle Dorn, Eve Harms, Sonora Taylor, Beverley Lee, V. Castro, Red Lagoe, Cassie Daley, Erin Al-Mehairi, Sadie Hartmann, Lilyn George, Amanda McHugh, Michelle Garza, Melissa Lason, and Jessica Guess -- you are all champions. Each story hit so hard, whether it related to something personal or was based on fantastical metaphors and monsters. Didn't matter because the writing still resonated.
While this is for women, that doesn't mean men shouldn't read this. Much can be gained from such intimate glances into the female experience. Empathy and understanding is always of value. For women, especially survivors, some of these stories are filled with triggers. Some may be uncomfortable or difficult to read. I can't tell another person what to do as that wouldn't be right. But for me, even the darkest tales in this collection offered a sense of closure for wounds I'd long since believed were healed. I'm grateful this experience made me feel better, stronger with the reminder that other women know and they understand.
Thank you again, ladies! You're all wolves and heroines to me💖
January 31, 2021
The proceeds from this anthology help survivors of abuse and assault.
Like most anthologies, there are high quality pieces here, as well as some that aren't quite as accomplished. Nothing here is terrible and there are a couple of stories that easily merit four stars.
This collection targets a very specific audience-- women who have felt helpless and who can enjoy a bit of vicarious bloody revenge. If you're male, this is not going to be a fun read. The antagonists comprise the worst of male behavior and meet some very grisly ends. Even if you're the loveliest of human beings, if you're male, you're likely to come away from this feeling attacked and wanting to cover your soft bits.
If, on the other hand, you identify female, and particularly if you fit the narrower subset of women for whom this book exists, you'll find something here that hits right. But be warned that some of the stories are fairly descriptive of various kinds of abuse and may be upsetting to readers who have endured similar situations. The theme of the book, though, is rage channeled into self-defense and sometimes revenge. In a world that still stigmatizes women's anger, no matter how justified, it's refreshing to see it celebrated as having the potential for good.
Like most anthologies, there are high quality pieces here, as well as some that aren't quite as accomplished. Nothing here is terrible and there are a couple of stories that easily merit four stars.
This collection targets a very specific audience-- women who have felt helpless and who can enjoy a bit of vicarious bloody revenge. If you're male, this is not going to be a fun read. The antagonists comprise the worst of male behavior and meet some very grisly ends. Even if you're the loveliest of human beings, if you're male, you're likely to come away from this feeling attacked and wanting to cover your soft bits.
If, on the other hand, you identify female, and particularly if you fit the narrower subset of women for whom this book exists, you'll find something here that hits right. But be warned that some of the stories are fairly descriptive of various kinds of abuse and may be upsetting to readers who have endured similar situations. The theme of the book, though, is rage channeled into self-defense and sometimes revenge. In a world that still stigmatizes women's anger, no matter how justified, it's refreshing to see it celebrated as having the potential for good.
December 29, 2020
Earlier this year, I read the anthology “Nevertheless She Persisted,” which included sci-fi/fantasy stories by women — and “We Are Wolves” is the horror equivalent: Stories of women rising up against forces that try to keep them down.
The characters in these stories (and a couple poems) are tired of enduring the passive suggestions and physical abuse and downright murder. “Though Your Heart Is Breaking” involves a man telling Sarah to smile, despite the turmoil inside her. “A Key for Any Lock” involves a popular guy on a college campus sexually assaulting the unnamed narrator. Several stories include murder.
Then the characters move past endurance to fight back, using their power and cleverness. As far as I can remember, in one story — “A Key for Any Lock” — the character tries to use the justice system to gain societally approved justice. But the system fails her. So she goes beyond it. In the other stories, characters don’t try the official system — they seek their own justice. These aren’t episodes of “Law and Order,” these are horror stories.
Justice here is gained by knives, contraptions, claws. The characters are wolves who hunt alone and in a pack with allies. Cliche has us believe that women are “the weaker sex.” Yet that is a box (cage) in which to place women. Of course they are far more complicated and strong than a simplistic stereotype. Stories can entertain us, and some can challenge us. These stories accomplish both.
I felt a couple stories were too rushed, and could’ve used a bit more to build the scenarios. But that’s a blip in the variety of characters and situations crafted by the variety of these talented writers. There’s horror aplenty along the different paths.
The characters in these stories (and a couple poems) are tired of enduring the passive suggestions and physical abuse and downright murder. “Though Your Heart Is Breaking” involves a man telling Sarah to smile, despite the turmoil inside her. “A Key for Any Lock” involves a popular guy on a college campus sexually assaulting the unnamed narrator. Several stories include murder.
Then the characters move past endurance to fight back, using their power and cleverness. As far as I can remember, in one story — “A Key for Any Lock” — the character tries to use the justice system to gain societally approved justice. But the system fails her. So she goes beyond it. In the other stories, characters don’t try the official system — they seek their own justice. These aren’t episodes of “Law and Order,” these are horror stories.
Justice here is gained by knives, contraptions, claws. The characters are wolves who hunt alone and in a pack with allies. Cliche has us believe that women are “the weaker sex.” Yet that is a box (cage) in which to place women. Of course they are far more complicated and strong than a simplistic stereotype. Stories can entertain us, and some can challenge us. These stories accomplish both.
I felt a couple stories were too rushed, and could’ve used a bit more to build the scenarios. But that’s a blip in the variety of characters and situations crafted by the variety of these talented writers. There’s horror aplenty along the different paths.
October 17, 2021
Just a FABULOUS short story collection from some of the "Best" ladies of horror!
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